"Much of the major growth that is coming to the Church in the last days will come because many of the good women of the world (in whom there is often such an inner sense of spirituality) will be drawn to the Church in large numbers. This will happen to the degree that the women of the Church reflect righteousness and articulateness in their lives and to the degree that the women of the Church are seen as distinct and different--in happy ways--from the women of the world... Thus it will be that female exemplars of the Church will be a significant force in both the numerical and spiritual growth of the Church in the last days" President Spencer W. Kimball

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

And now its time to go down the slide!!! Holy cow its been 9 months! The time has absolutely flown by and there has been little time to stop and see what has been going on, so let me take a second...

Today will be my first day in a new area on the east side of Manhattan in the Manhattan 3rd YSA ward (I just cant get enough!). I will be joining Sister Hsieh, pronounced as if you asking someone to be quiet, i.e. "shhh?", who has been over here for about 3 months. We will be possibly be joining a mysterious new Zone the mission has created called Manhattan Central Zone, but that has yet to be determined. All in all though, I am super excited!

It was so sad to let go of Sister Fuimaono today though. We celebrated "210 Days of Fui and Coleman" this morning as we prepared my old desk for her new greenie that arrived yesterday from the MTC, sad day! Along with Sister Babb who is preparing for her flight in the morning back to Washington, I have "lost" everything bahhhhh hah hahahhh! and yet have gained so much.

I am sure these next 9 months will be so great. In fact, I have no doubt about it! The Lord has blessed me already so much, I could only imagine how much more is lying in wait. We shall see though, and so it is...

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Before I get started, check out these Belomont transplants...did I even leave Provo?

Its an early day in the New York New York North Mission and the weather is fine. It has been a very quick week, but I realize I have not been in touch with everyone for a couple of weeks now. Im so sorry, but I will have to blame it on our busy companionship. Sister Babb will be leaving us next week so we spent last week getting her ready to take the flight home. Oh wow, it has been a great time serving with her, but like all missionaries, the time comes and the time goes :)

So what has been happening lately? What hasn't been happening lately is the real question, heavens its been so busy and exciting around New York lately.

The work has been so good to us. We continue to teach such amazing people and are actually preparing for a baptism this coming weekend! It is always so amazing to see people anxious to follow the Lord. We have been teaching this investigator for about 3 weeks now and after considering the Gospel he told us last week, " I think that if I am going to follow Him then baptism would be a great start. But considering its the beginning of this journey I should start soon." Haha, well said!

Baptism is just that, and initiatory action we display to the Lord that we are willing to follow him and have his spirit to be with us. It is faith! Taking the chance, making the choice and having confidence that as we do what we can, we can be equipped with His Spirit. I just love baptisms, they are my favorite.

Speaking of a few of my favorite things though, we had the opportunity to meet Elder L. Tom Perry, Elder Quentin L. Cook, Elder Olsen of the 70 and Senator Harry Reid! That was a great time. For the YSA Conference that took place this past weekend we had the joy of meeting and hearing from all of these lovely men! They bore such amazing testimonies of the Gospel, sharing such amazing experiences as their mission years, conversion stories and the joy of the gospel in their lives today. It was so great! I think Elder Perry and I are best friends now, haha! He is hilarious.

Also making the list is the new Mormon.org launch that is going on here in the city. What a riot it is going to be! So we have been a pilot mission for the mormon.org campaign for the past 9 months are so, aka as long as I have been here :) and have been preparing to "bring the world His truth." We got word early last week that the launch was Monday. What all does this entail? Well let me tell you:

So that's it! Its gonna be crazy!!! Everyone is like, "oh, what timing with the Book of Mormon Musical." Yeah buddy! Curiosity is the least of it right now. As called missionaries in the midst of all this we will be responding to all the hype. Im so excited! I will have to keep everyone posted on the amazing stories that will soon follow.

Anyways, life is good and the work is moving forward. Guess what? The Church is still true! I have no doubt about that, and if doubt does ever arise it is absolutely an opportunity to search further and pray fervently for answers. They will come, they always have. Maybe not in the time that we expect but for sure in the time that we need. Elder Perry said this weekend, "our desires will be met in the way we least expect them." I will add my testimony to his by saying I have never been more entertained then by the depth of this reality. I just love you love you and hope you are having a great week. You're all in my prayers, and so it is...

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

I never thought I would say this but as we left the house in non-proselyting clothes today, heading out for PDay festivities in the Park I actually thought, "I would rather be in a skirt!!!" I don't know how people do it. How do they live in this ridiculously outrageous weather?! It is either freezing cold or blazing hot! I don't know how its all going to work out, haha! Just pray for me I suppose :) New York is a lovely place but it could definitely use some better weather.

Anyways, I feel like that is all I ever talk about...so let me get on a few other things.

This past week was a good one, beginning with last PDay we have had a marathon of amazing adventures. First, I have a confession to make, you didn't hear much from me last week because we went to a Yankees game, eke!!! I know! I feel like such a traitor. My beloved Angels, please dont think I have turned over to the Dark side. If it makes anyone feel better, I think I only had fun because I was with all of the wonderful missionaries in my district and area. Other than that, it would have been the worst! I promise (fingers crossed). It was the Yankees vs. Blue Jays and the Yankees brought home the win. It was very hot but our seats were in the shade, such a great time. You could see many areas of the stadium where there were whiteouts, aka rows of missionaries sitting together. It was quite the sight, so funny!

Moving right along, we have had the opportunity to teach some great new investigators! One was found contacting on the street, which is always a great surprise and the other took a Mormonism class at Columbia University and 2 years later felt a desire to stop by the Lincoln Square chapel to find missionaries! Its always nice when an investigator can recite the 8th Article of Faith, haha! Yeah that happened. It has been such a privilege. The more and more I go forward with this work I realize that this has nothing to do with me. I know that we have all been called so that the message can come out of our mouth for specific people ( I have no doubt about that knowledge) but I know that the Lord has gone before me to prepare the way of people I will come into contact with. I am nothing more than a conduit of the Spirit who is the ultimate teacher. I find that more and more as I study the scriptures and as I teach others the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Some other amazing things I have discovered in my study this week is the importance of the Sacrament. It is so funny to see people's reaction when we explain how simply going to church can change their life. Most respond with "I have been to church." Its true. But when we understand what it is that we are doing when we are at church it can change our life. I was thinking about the power of the Sacrament table. How much we rely on it. How we can bring all that we have to this very table and feel as though we have been baptized again. The bread and water is so symbolic and important, representing the flesh and blood of the Savior. This holy sacrifice was in effort to redeem us from death and sin. The Atonement and Resurrection were performed to see Heavenly Father's plan through, "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39)." This chain of thought lead me to the knowledge that every time we partake of the sacrament we are participating in God's plan, wow! Anyways, I'm babbling.

Its been a great week! I love this work. The Trifecta continues and it's great! I am so happy to be here in New York! I love all of you and thank you for your support. Sister Babb has helped me to see that there is not much time left, I better get to work! Well, I love you love you, and so it is...

Called To Serve...

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the New York New York North Mission.
New York Mailing Address:
700 White Plains Rd. Suite 315
Scarsdale, NY 10583